RealGM Wiretap

Carmelo Anthony is currently leaning toward leaving the New York Knicks in order to play for an immediate title contender, with the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets considered favorites.

Anthony met with officials from the Knicks on Friday, which had little impact on his present state of mind.

The Bulls and Rockets are working on contingencies to clear enough cap space to sign Anthony outright, though they could also engage the Knicks on sign-and-trade scenarios.

"His heart is in New York," one source familiar with Anthony's thinking told Yahoo Sports, "but he wants a chance to win now."

League sources say that Phil Jackson has turned off Anthony with his public declarations that he take less money to re-sign with the Knicks. There's also doubt across the NBA whether Jackson truly wants the Knicks to re-sign Anthony.

Anthony isn't as concerned over a novice head coach in Derek Fisher as he is the depleted roster.